Arguably the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.

These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup. Here are all of my risky starts for the week. Below we dive into a few notable players.

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Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Week 5

Trevor Lawrence (QB – JAC)

The fantasy football community declared Lawrence a superstar in the making entering the season. After a two-touchdown performance in Week 1, the former No. 1 overall pick has struggled, throwing two total scores. Furthermore, he has averaged only 13.4 fantasy points per game since scoring 17.7 on opening weekend. The number of pass attempts by Lawrence has also dipped in three consecutive games. More importantly, the former Clemson star faces an elite Buffalo Bills defense in London.

While losing Tre’Davious White to a torn Achilles hurts the Bills defense, they could get Von Miller back this week. Even if the star pass rusher doesn’t play until Week 6, fantasy players should feel nervous starting Lawrence against Buffalo. The Bills have held quarterbacks to only 7.6 fantasy points per game this season, the fewest in the league. Furthermore, Tua Tagovailoa is the only quarterback with more than 185 passing yards and 8.2 fantasy points against Buffalo this year. I would start Sam Howell and Joshua Dobbs over Lawrence this week.

Kyren Williams (RB – LAR)

There have been several surprises this season and Williams is arguable the top one. He is the RB4 over the first month, averaging 19 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, the former Notre Dame running back is a sell-high candidate for me. He has averaged only 61.3 rushing yards per game and 3.8 yards per attempt this season. Furthermore, according to Fantasy Points Data, Williams has only a 1.6% explosive run rate, a lower average than Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Chuba Hubbard. More importantly, the second-year running back is super touchdown-dependent.

Williams has six touchdowns this season, scoring two in all but one contest. In those three matchups, he has averaged 22.9 fantasy points per game, with the touchdowns accounting for 52.5% of his fantasy production. By comparison, he scored only 7.5 fantasy points in the one matchup he didn’t find the end zone. Unfortunately, the Philadelphia Eagles have held running backs to the second-fewest fantasy points per game (11.4) and only one touchdown this year. With Cooper Kupp possibly playing this week, Williams could see his role in the passing game significantly reduced.

Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE)

Following his top-seven finish in 2022, fantasy players had high hopes for Stevenson this year. Unfortunately, the entire Patriots offense has struggled. The former Oklahoma star is the RB23, averaging only 9.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game and 2.7 yards per rushing attempt. New England’s offensive line hasn’t helped the star running back. According to Fantasy Points Data, Stevenson has averaged only 1.05 yards before contact and a 53.3% stuff rate. Meanwhile, he hasn’t gotten saved by a role in the passing game, totaling only six receptions for 23 receiving yards since Week 1.

Unfortunately, Stevenson faces an elite New Orleans Saints run defense in Week 5. The Saints have struggled on offense, but their defense has been excellent since opening weekend. Over the past three weeks, New Orleans has held running backs to only 3.1 yards per rushing attempt and 11.6 fantasy points per game. They have also limited running backs to only 0.75 yards before contact per rushing attempt this season, the fifth-lowest average in the NFL. Fantasy players should consider starting Javonte Williams and Gus Edwards over Stevenson.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.